Shut Off Valve Circuit Fault Detection Without Full Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting open circuit conditions in shut-off valve (SOV) drive circuitry often require full actuation, which may not be desirable, and struggle to differentiate between open and short circuit conditions efficiently.
Innovation Solution
Applying electrical energy for a predetermined duration less than or equal to the circuit's time constant, allowing for the measurement of current through the circuit to verify its integrity without fully actuating the circuit element, thereby detecting open or short circuit conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full actuation is applied to detect open circuit condition, then detection capability is improved, but system stress and potential damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using a test voltage duration (less than or equal to the circuit time constant) that is insufficient to fully actuate the SOV. This allows current measurement to detect open/short circuit conditions without completing the full actuation cycle, thereby reducing mechanical stress on the valve while maintaining diagnostic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary diagnostic action by measuring current during the initial phase of voltage application (within one time constant). This preliminary current measurement reveals circuit faults before full actuation occurs, preventing unnecessary stress on the SOV while still achieving reliable fault detection.
2Measurement precision
If full actuation is used to verify circuit integrity, then detection accuracy is improved, but unnecessary stress on the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses partial action by limiting the test voltage application to a duration less than or equal to the circuit time constant. This provides sufficient time to measure current and detect circuit faults with high accuracy, while preventing the full actuation that would cause unnecessary mechanical stress on the SOV and related components.
3Reliability
If electrical energy is applied for full actuation duration, then complete circuit testing is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by limiting the test voltage duration to one circuit time constant or less. This provides sufficient time to observe current behavior and verify circuit integrity without requiring full actuation, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining complete fault detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the circuit's own time constant characteristic to determine the optimal test duration. By leveraging the inherent electrical properties of the circuit (resistance, inductance, or capacitance), the system automatically identifies the minimum required test time without external calibration, achieving energy-efficient complete verification.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective detection of circuit faults, including open and short circuits, without fully actuating the circuit, thus avoiding unnecessary stress on the system and improving diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
applying electrical energy to at least a circuit element in the circuit, the electrical energy being insufficient to fully actuate the circuit element
Implementation Method 2
measuring a current through the circuit
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for detecting circuit conditions are provided. A method for detecting a condition of a circuit may comprise: applying electrical energy to at least a circuit element in the circuit, a level of the electrical energy being insufficient to fully actuate the circuit element. The method may further comprise verifying integrity of the circuit.